Spiritual response to UT shooting

Yesterday, a 19-year-old student sprayed several rounds from an AK-47 at the University of Texas. Several minutes later, the young man turned the gun on himself as police officers closed in.

As sad as this incident is, there is much to be grateful for. Thankfully, no one else was struck by the bullets nor did the young man ever take aim at anyone. The coordinated effort of all police organizations was wisely and swiftly carried out. All classes will be resuming this morning.

Although there is much to be grateful for, there are questions. There are always questions when needless violent acts occur.

I’m finding that spiritual solutions will answer these questions. Yes, our communities need to be protected. Individuals with emotional problems need to be helped and healed. And, I believe, it is our collective spiritual growth and maturity that will answer our questions and make all the difference we yearn for.

Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, prayed constantly to find spiritual solutions to daily problems. In 1881, Eddy visited the prison cell of the man who assassinated President Garfield. The assassin had no sense of his crime. He thought he was a victim and his act of killing the President was simple justice. However, her few words had an immediate impact on the man. Apparently, sensing for the first time that he had done something wrong, the man sank back in his chair, limp and pale; his flippancy was gone. The jailer thanked Eddy, and said. “Other visitors have brought to him flowers, but you have brought what will do him good.”

I’ve found that spirituality not only helps me express more love and common sense, it keeps me safe. It enables me to see that evil’s temptations are not others’ thoughts or my own, and they can be prayerfully and mentally resisted.

Years ago, while I was performing with a band, just after a performance, I walked out the backstage door of an auditorium, headed to a parking area, and found myself right in the middle of a race riot. I was immediately surrounded by a group of men, and their anger turned on me. Everything happened fast. But, what came to my thought was one powerful idea, “Love has no opposite sides.”

Love, I’d learned, is a name for the supreme being, God; so when the angel message, “Love has no opposite sides” came to my thought, my fear just drained away and I felt a deep spiritual peace. This sudden peace in the middle of a riot was surprising.

I was then poked in the back. When I turned around, a large man hit me in the face with his fist as hard as he could. But, it only felt as if I had been tapped with a balloon. My head didn’t move at all. The man who hit me looked me in the eye, looked at the others, and then walked away. Every one of them followed after him.

If I had tried to fight back, the situation would have turned out quite differently. However, my non-reaction was an act of love. I’d learned that I could trust God. And by trusting God and listening to the angel message, “Love has no opposite sides,” the anger and danger disappeared.

I pray that the family and friends of the young man who took his life feel the peace and grace of God. God, give them the strength to move past sorrow and fear and find the Love that knows no opposite sides.

Love, our Father-Mother, God, is satisfied with how She has made all of us to be. We can be satisfied with Her. I pray we all learn to know this.

– Keith Wommack is a Syndicated Columnist, Christian Science practitioner and teacher, husband, and step-dad. He has been described as a spiritual spur (since every horse needs a little nudge now and then). Keith’s columns originate at: KeithWommack.com